Clip or holder.



No 867,449. PATENTED OUT. 1,1907. J, w. L. TODD.

0 1? 0R HOLDER.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 10, 1906.

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iJNiTED STA;T;E ;S Arn'r f time.

JOHN W. L. TODD, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO JOSEPH MONNIG, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI.

CLIP OR HOLDER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 1, 1907.

Application filed July 10. 1906. Serial No. 325,441.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JOHN W. L. Tom), a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at St. Louis, Missouri, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Clips or Holders, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, in which-- Figure 1 is a plan view of the underneath side of a device embodying the features of my invention; Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view of same; and Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the clamping member and the frame of which it forms part, the button which forms the top of the device being removed.

This invention relates to advertising devices, and particularly to the so-called buttons which are used for advertising purposes.

The object of my invention is to provide a paper clip or device for holding articles, and which consists of a button provided on. its back with a clamping member of novel form. Preferably the button cooperates with the clamping member to hold the article or paper which is inserted between same. I also prefer to form the clamping member separate from the button and have said cooperating members detachably connected together; but, if desired, the clamping member could be permanently fastened to the button without departing from the spirit of my invention. Furthermore, while I have herein shown the upper or top part of the device as consisting of a button, such as is in common use for advertising purposes, I do not wish it to be understood that my invention is limited to such a construction as the upper or top part of the device could be formed in various ways.

Referring to the drawings which represent ,the preferred form of my invention, 1 designates the button or top part of the device which is provided on its rear side with an inwardly projecting flange 2, herein shown as a collet which holds the covering of the button in place. If desired, however, the flange 2 could'be formed intogral with the button as the function which said flange performs in my device is to hold the clamping member in position.

, The clamping member is preferably constructed from spring wire and forms part of a frame that extends underneath the flange on the button. The portion 4 of said wire conforms to the curvature of the edge portion of the button, the ,wire being then bent inwardly so that a straight portion 5 extends approximately transversely of the button, the portion 7 which acts as the clamping member being in substantially the form of a circle to provide an extended engaging surface, and the portion 8 being straight and extending approximately trans versely of the button to the portion 9, which conforms to the curvature of the edge portion of the button, the part 10 extending inwardly at approximately right angles to the parts 5 and S, and acting as a fulcrum for a lever 3 which acts as the means for moving the clamping'member into an inoperative position. The lever 3 may be fulcruined on the part 10 in any manner, but 1 have herein shown it as provided with cars 11 through which the part 10 extends. The end 12 of the lever 3 is arranged between the clamping member 7 and the portions 4 and 9 of the wire, the member 7 being offset at 7" to receive the lever 3 which extends flush with the surface of said wire. The operation of the device is obvious. The clamping member '7, which, as previously stated, is formed of spring wire, holds the object firmly against the flange 2 on the button and the lever 3 is actuated to move the clamping member into an inoperative position and thus release the object.

When the frame is in operative position the portions 4 and 9 of the wire extend underneath the inwardly projecting flange 2 on the button, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1, and thus retain the clamping member in position. parallel, but diverge slightly so that these portions 5 and 8 can be pressed toward each other, and thus reduce the diameter of the frame sufficiently to withdraw the portions 4 and 9 from underneath the flange 2 on the button, the frame being placed in position by pressing the portions 5 and 8 together, then inserting the portions 4 and 9 underneath the flange 2 and permitting the parts 5 and 8 to spring back to their normal position.

Preferably, the outer end of the lever 3 which is pressed to move the clamping member into an inoperative position, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2, is provided with an opening 12 so that the device can be hung up in a vertical position.

A device of this description can be manufactured cheaply, it presents a neat and ornamental appearance, and it can be used for various purposes, such, for example, as a desk clip for holding papers or bills, or as a clip for holding an article which is displayed for sale.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is 1. A device of the character described, comprising a top member provided with an inwardly extending flange, a frame arranged on the rear side of said member and consisting of a spring wire bent to form portions which extend under the flange on said member and also to form a clamping portion arranged above the portions previously referred to and cooperating with the edge portion of said top member, and a device carried by said frame and pro jecting under the clamping portion of the wire to move it away from the top member substantially as described.

2. A device of the class described, comprising a top member, a clamping member formed of spring wire which is connected to said top member, and which is adapted to coilperate with said top member to form a clamp, and a pivotally mounted device having its inner endarranged ears through which said fulcrum extends and having its inner end arranged in an offset of the curved clamping portion 01 the spring wire for moving it away from the top member; substantially as described.

In testimony whereof, I hereunto ailix my signature, in 15 the presence of two witnesses, this iith day of July, 1906.

JOHN W. T. TODD.

Witnesses \VnLLs L. CHURCH, CORA BADGFP. 

